10 Reasons why you Might not Qualify for a Loft Insulation Grant
FreeInsulation Blog - 12th June 2020
Loft insulation can save you hundreds of pounds each year on your energy bills but there are several reasons why you may not be entitled to a grant. Some factors can be determined over the telephone before an assessor visits your home but other aspects will need to be checked during the survey.
No qualifying benefit
If someone living in the property does not receive a qualifying benefit then unfortunately you will not be able to claim a grant. You may also need to meet other criteria depending which benefit is being received. Please visit our who qualifies page for more details.
Too much existing insulation
If the loft already has more than 100mm (4 inches) of insulation installed then you will not qualify for a grant. In some circumstances, you may qualify if the insulation is unevenly fitted i.e. some parts are below 100mm and some are above. Even if you do not qualify on this basis, we can still arrange a free survey and quote to pay for the top-up.
Access problems
If there is no access to the loft or there are health and safety concerns relating to reaching the hatch then it may not be possible to proceed. The hatch itself should also be at least 400mm (16 inches) square to allow the installers and materials through.
Limited headroom
There should be at least 1.2m (4 feet) from the joists on the floor of the loft to the peak of the roof. This is to allow the installers to fit the insulation safely. If there is insufficient headroom, then it may be possible to have another type of insulation installed such as a blown-in material but unfortunately this is not available on the grant scheme.
Too many stored items
If you have a lot of items stored in the loft, you will not need to clear them before the survey. However, the surveyor will advise as to whether items need to be removed before the work can be carried out. Insulation installers typically do not remove stored items so you will have to organise this yourself.
Loft insulation is not fully effective when laid over boards. If more than 20% of the floor area is boarded, then you may be asked to remove any excess boarding before the loft can be insulated.
Damp present
There should not be any damp in the loft because if the insulation becomes wet it will be ineffective. Typical causes of damp are leaks through the roof or inadequate ventilation. In some circumstances, installers can create more ventilation by inserting vents into the tiled part of the roof and this is normally covered under the grant scheme.
Structural problems
If the joists on the floor of the loft are not thick enough or they are spaced out too widely, the surveyor may determine that it is unsafe for the installers to carry out the work. If the floor requires strengthening, this will have to be arranged and paid for by the householder before work can commence.
You want to DIY
Grants are only available for professional installers who have been accredited on the ECO scheme to install the insulation. Previous schemes have allowed discounted insulation materials to be sold at some DIY stores but this is unlikely to return.
Different type of insulation required
If you are looking for a special type of insulation such as sheep wool or foil, unfortunately they are not available. The grant only funds mineral wool (glass fibre) blankets which are rolled out between and then across the joists. Our installers are also unable to help with grants to insulate the sloping part of a roof or a flat roof.
To see if you qualify for a loft insulation grant simply complete our online form. An approved local installer will then telephone you to arrange a free, no-obligation survey of your home.